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Dinan software upgrade for 2001 M Roadster
Well, I did it! I had the brand new Dinan software upgrade installed in my M Roadster. I have had the car for just over a year now and have put over 9,000 fun filled, completely satisfying miles on her. She still moves me every time I start her. I could only be happier if I could get two golf bags in the trunk, but that’s a small inconvienence I’m willing to live with.
I infrequently push her really hard, but when I do…she answers the call with unrelenting acceleration and never questions my sanity. (Perhaps she should) So why would I want to add another 5+% HP that in all likelihood I’ll never truly be able to appreciate? Well, I’m not completely sure myself, but I will attempt to answer here.
First, the claims: There is no literature for this upgrade, it’s brand-new. There is no data on the web site, there are no confirmed dyno results, and there is only Dinan’s unusually solid reputation within the BMW community. Here’s what the dealer told me. They were with the Dinan people last week when the software was released and they were told that there would be about a 15-17 HP increase. They were told that the power and torque curve would be better even down low. That there would be a noticeable increase in not only top end power, but useable power, in the range where most of us drive in every day, that there would be smoother throttle response and a more linear power curve. They were told that the top end in a MZ3 would now be 175. They were told that the new rev limiter would operate above 8,000 RPM’s. They were also told that as of April 1, 2001, most of the Dinan software upgrades would cost the consumer $499.00. A big fat increase of $100.00, or 25%. These cars are a bit de-tuned at the factory to account for fuel grades and average driving conditions and etc. This software should give me the highest performance one can get from this motor in stock form.
The experience: I had an appointment at a dealer about an hour from my home. My golf game ran late and there was no way I was going to make it there. I called the dealer in Hartford (New Country Motors) that has managed to completely screw up everything that I have ever had them attempt. I was very reluctant, as the rep there told me that he “thought” the upgrade would work, but he had never done a 2001 or 2002 before. He did assure me that he could reload the BMW factory program if the Dinan upgrade did not work. I got there at 2:00pm and was happy to see that it was very quiet. He (the service advisor) took me right in and opened the hood. He unscrewed the computer port and produced a little ¼ size laptop computer that said Dinan on it. Looks like an older HP palmtop of something like that. Plugged it in and turned it on. The first screen asks mileage and VIN number. Next screen says upgrade price is $499.00. Whoa, you told me $399.00 over the phone, the same thing the other dealer quoted me. He goes back in and gets the Dinan book and shows me the page with the price increase. I squawk a bit and he says that he can try to enter $399.00 in the computer and see what happens. I’m OK with that, as I’m now pretty much foaming at the mouth to get this thing done. After that, there is a little fiddling around with the car’s power and a couple of fuses. Unplugging ABS sensor’s etc. Ten minutes of that, and the upgrade is going along well. The whole thing was complete in a half hour. He hands me a receipt for $399.00 and tells me that he’s not going to change me anything for labor as he does the upgrade’s himself and not a mechanic. I love this guy!
Now on to the road test. I got right onto the highway and found a lot of traffic. Crap, no place here to open her up. A few shifts and honestly it’s pretty hard to tell any difference. I navigate through 10-15 miles of -shitty- traffic and finally find some open roads near my home in Simsbury. DCS-off, check. Rev to 3500, check. Drop clutch, chhhhhhhhhhhhhheck. Damn I got to 8 grand fast, shift, depress throttle to floor, check. You get the idea. I gave her a few runs up through first, second and third. I let her hit the rev limiter once to see exactly where it happened. 8,100 – 8,200 I would say. Those of you that have M’s can appreciate the furor that’s going on above 7,000 RPM’s. The pre Euro motor M owners I’m sure also have a very good perspective. For those of you that have never driven an M Roadster or Coupe, let me tell you that things happen QUICKLY under full acceleration. In just over 4 seconds, your whole world changes to a fast moving, loud, adrenaline rush of movement. You can’t possibly watch the tach and the speedometer, so you better watch the tach! So, what’s the difference? Well, again that’s hard to quantify. The butt dyno says that throttle response is better and smoother. Almost feels a tad more like the M3 I drove a few weeks ago. I read some comments here and on another MB that there was some throttle bogging. No, I did not find that at all. Not in and gear at any speed. I found the acceleration at even moderate speed was excellent.
I’m not a professional driver, and as I said earlier I will never find this car’s limits, but I do like the idea of having the fastest, smoothest, most powerful M Roadster that I can have without going crazy with mods. The Dinan upgrade does that for me, for far less than one month’s lease payment. So, is it worth the $399.00? Well, not too many people that spend 400 bucks on something will tell you that is was a waste of money. The differences are very subtle. I would doubt many here could actually tell the difference between a Dinan M and a stock M. Still I’m happy I did it, and will undoubtedly discover more about the performance over the coming months and miles. I look forward to Dinan posting actual results on the web site soon.
And finally, Vance-man and Dadofour and MFrank…look out boys, there’s an Imola streak closing fast in the rear view.
Mods to date: V1 detector, Alpine CD head unit, Leather Z Mach II, BMW Aluminum Pedal set, Whalen Shift Machine, JD’s Clear Windscreen, Dinan Stage I software.
Well, I did it! I had the brand new Dinan software upgrade installed in my M Roadster. I have had the car for just over a year now and have put over 9,000 fun filled, completely satisfying miles on her. She still moves me every time I start her. I could only be happier if I could get two golf bags in the trunk, but that’s a small inconvienence I’m willing to live with.
I infrequently push her really hard, but when I do…she answers the call with unrelenting acceleration and never questions my sanity. (Perhaps she should) So why would I want to add another 5+% HP that in all likelihood I’ll never truly be able to appreciate? Well, I’m not completely sure myself, but I will attempt to answer here.
First, the claims: There is no literature for this upgrade, it’s brand-new. There is no data on the web site, there are no confirmed dyno results, and there is only Dinan’s unusually solid reputation within the BMW community. Here’s what the dealer told me. They were with the Dinan people last week when the software was released and they were told that there would be about a 15-17 HP increase. They were told that the power and torque curve would be better even down low. That there would be a noticeable increase in not only top end power, but useable power, in the range where most of us drive in every day, that there would be smoother throttle response and a more linear power curve. They were told that the top end in a MZ3 would now be 175. They were told that the new rev limiter would operate above 8,000 RPM’s. They were also told that as of April 1, 2001, most of the Dinan software upgrades would cost the consumer $499.00. A big fat increase of $100.00, or 25%. These cars are a bit de-tuned at the factory to account for fuel grades and average driving conditions and etc. This software should give me the highest performance one can get from this motor in stock form.
The experience: I had an appointment at a dealer about an hour from my home. My golf game ran late and there was no way I was going to make it there. I called the dealer in Hartford (New Country Motors) that has managed to completely screw up everything that I have ever had them attempt. I was very reluctant, as the rep there told me that he “thought” the upgrade would work, but he had never done a 2001 or 2002 before. He did assure me that he could reload the BMW factory program if the Dinan upgrade did not work. I got there at 2:00pm and was happy to see that it was very quiet. He (the service advisor) took me right in and opened the hood. He unscrewed the computer port and produced a little ¼ size laptop computer that said Dinan on it. Looks like an older HP palmtop of something like that. Plugged it in and turned it on. The first screen asks mileage and VIN number. Next screen says upgrade price is $499.00. Whoa, you told me $399.00 over the phone, the same thing the other dealer quoted me. He goes back in and gets the Dinan book and shows me the page with the price increase. I squawk a bit and he says that he can try to enter $399.00 in the computer and see what happens. I’m OK with that, as I’m now pretty much foaming at the mouth to get this thing done. After that, there is a little fiddling around with the car’s power and a couple of fuses. Unplugging ABS sensor’s etc. Ten minutes of that, and the upgrade is going along well. The whole thing was complete in a half hour. He hands me a receipt for $399.00 and tells me that he’s not going to change me anything for labor as he does the upgrade’s himself and not a mechanic. I love this guy!
Now on to the road test. I got right onto the highway and found a lot of traffic. Crap, no place here to open her up. A few shifts and honestly it’s pretty hard to tell any difference. I navigate through 10-15 miles of -shitty- traffic and finally find some open roads near my home in Simsbury. DCS-off, check. Rev to 3500, check. Drop clutch, chhhhhhhhhhhhhheck. Damn I got to 8 grand fast, shift, depress throttle to floor, check. You get the idea. I gave her a few runs up through first, second and third. I let her hit the rev limiter once to see exactly where it happened. 8,100 – 8,200 I would say. Those of you that have M’s can appreciate the furor that’s going on above 7,000 RPM’s. The pre Euro motor M owners I’m sure also have a very good perspective. For those of you that have never driven an M Roadster or Coupe, let me tell you that things happen QUICKLY under full acceleration. In just over 4 seconds, your whole world changes to a fast moving, loud, adrenaline rush of movement. You can’t possibly watch the tach and the speedometer, so you better watch the tach! So, what’s the difference? Well, again that’s hard to quantify. The butt dyno says that throttle response is better and smoother. Almost feels a tad more like the M3 I drove a few weeks ago. I read some comments here and on another MB that there was some throttle bogging. No, I did not find that at all. Not in and gear at any speed. I found the acceleration at even moderate speed was excellent.
I’m not a professional driver, and as I said earlier I will never find this car’s limits, but I do like the idea of having the fastest, smoothest, most powerful M Roadster that I can have without going crazy with mods. The Dinan upgrade does that for me, for far less than one month’s lease payment. So, is it worth the $399.00? Well, not too many people that spend 400 bucks on something will tell you that is was a waste of money. The differences are very subtle. I would doubt many here could actually tell the difference between a Dinan M and a stock M. Still I’m happy I did it, and will undoubtedly discover more about the performance over the coming months and miles. I look forward to Dinan posting actual results on the web site soon.
And finally, Vance-man and Dadofour and MFrank…look out boys, there’s an Imola streak closing fast in the rear view.
Mods to date: V1 detector, Alpine CD head unit, Leather Z Mach II, BMW Aluminum Pedal set, Whalen Shift Machine, JD’s Clear Windscreen, Dinan Stage I software.
If you Read Ron`s post on the 346 install and the tests you will find that with a true Torsen You seem to have better displacment of power to the rear wheels.He can explain I do not have the time.My DSE Never comes on and I hammer it Ask Bob Margolis.He went for a few rides with me Shit I am putting new tires on next week I have worst then ever.NO THE DSE DOES not react more.LESS
